that you maintain your optimism regarding our American democracy.

Sadly, I am so pessimistic about our future as a truly democratic country.  I really am.

I think what we are seeing from Jan 6 to now is extremely disturbing.  When we have a supposed "legitimate" political party going all-in on Trump's lies and doing all it can to suppress voting of all supporters not their own is scary as hell.  And I am fearful that it is working and working too well.

Along with this is the fact that it is being done when there is factual information showing nothing like what Trump suggests ever happened.  I mean, to explain to people why the late vote in some states occurred as it did in reasoned and factual explanations when they refuse to even acknowledge the statisticians and scientists that have already explained it (while believing Trump's lies over these scientists), illustrates the perilous nature of future elections.

But to just see this complete eradication of American institutions by one political party to further their interests is alarming.  And they just keep doing it again and again.

Also, to show the danger, just look at how COVID has been handled and is continuing to be handled by the right-wing.  Hell, look at McCarthy - this guy speaks out of both sides of his mouth and Americans are dying from it and the Right just keeps on lying.  Blaming Biden for the lack of vaccinations?? And blaming Pelosi for Jan 6?

As I explained to someone, for the Right to express these things is like blaming a victim of domestic violence for allowing his or her face to get in the way of a person's fist.

Still, just watching this mess is so depressing when it comes to my optimism for the future of this country.